Bill Kirelawich

College coach infobox


Name = Bill Kirelawich
| Birthplace = Frackville, Pennsylvania
DateOfDeath =
Sport = College football
College = West Virginia
Title = Defensive line coach
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Years = 1966-1969
Team = Salem College
Position = Defensive lineman
Coach = Y
CoachYears = 1970-1979
1979-"present"
CoachTeams = Cardinal Brennan High School (Pa.)
West Virginia (assistant)

William Kirelawich (born in Frackville, Pennsylvania) is the current American football defensive line coach for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Playing Career and Early Coaching

Bill Kirelawich was a standout defensive lineman at Salem College under West Virginia University legend, Donnie Young. As a senior, Kirelawich was team captain and led his team to a 8-1 record and a top 20 NAIA national ranking. He also recorded an 89-yard interception return, which stands as a school record. Kirelawich earned his bachelor's degree in education in 1969.

Kirelawich began his coaching career at Cardinal Brennan High School in Pennsylvania. Kirelawich led the losing program to a top 10 finish in the state in 1975. Nine of his former players moved on to play collegiate football as well.

West Virginia University

Under Don Nehlen

Bill Kirelawich left Cardinal Brennan High in 1979 to become a part-time coach at West Virginia University. The next season, 1980, Kirelawich became the defensive line coach under head coach Don Nehlen. For the 1988, 1989, and 1990 seasons, he was moved to the outside linebacker position. In 1991, Kirelawich returned to the defensive line.

In 1996, Kirelawich and linebackers coach Steve Dunlap helped the Mountaineers defense to rank first in the nation in total defense, second in rushing defense, fourth in scoring defense, and fifth in passing efficiency defense. The team also committed the least amount of turnovers nationally, and their turnover margin was second in the nation. Kirelawich continued to coach defensive line until 2000, head coach Don Nehlen's final season. Kirelawich's 22 seasons as an on-field coach is the longest tenure in school history.

Under Rich Rodriguez

In 2001, Rich Rodriguez was introduced as the new head coach of West Virginia. From 2001 to 2003, Kirelawich was an administrative assistant for player development under Rodriguez. To begin the 2003 season, Kirelawich returned to become the defensive line coach under defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel.

Under Bill Stewart

Following the 2007 season, Rodriguez left the West Virginia head coaching position to accept the head coaching job at the University of Michigan. However, interim head coach Bill Stewart led the Mountaineers to a 48-28 upset over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. Bill Stewart became the school's 32nd head coach and replacement for Rodriguez following the victory, and he kept Kirelawich and Jeff Casteel as the only returning coaches. However, Stewart hired Steve Dunlap back, whom had experience coaching the defense with Kirelawich.

External links

* [http://www.msnsportsnet.com/page.cfm?sport=football&show=64 Bill Kirelawich's WVU Profile]